Universally adjustable cervical collar

ABSTRACT

A universally adjustable cervical collar is in the form of a U-shaped base with a front joined to a pair of rearwardly extending wings. Left and right planar chin supports are pivotally connected at their distal ends to the distal ends to of respective wings with a chin piece connected between the upper proximal ends of the chin supports. An adjustable latch is individually coupled between each wing and the lower proximal end of the associated chin supports. Preferably the latch is in the form of 1) an arcuate slot in each wing arranged around the respective pivot axis with a track formed on opposite sides of the slot having inwardly projecting ribs and 2) a retractable locking pin carried by each chin support and moveable within the respective slot, the locking pins having outwardly projecting ribs adapted to engage adjacent ribs in the associated track to lock the chin support to the associated wing when in the locked position and to allow the chin support to be moved relative to the associated wing when in the retracted position

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to portable neck braces and more particularly to a cervical collar that is universally adjustable to provide the quality of “one size fits all”, easy to install and provides a comfortable fit to enable a patient to wear the collar in compliance with the physician's orders.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portable neck braces have been used for years to immobilize the head and neck of a patient and put them in proper alignment after an injury as a result of trauma or disease. Cervical collars are generally of two types, either off-the-shelf-stock type which comes in a variety of sizes to accommodate a population of patients or collars which have certain adjustable features to reduce or hopefully eliminate the need for a variety of sizes.

The art relating to portable neck braces and cervical collars is crowded, particularly in the patent literature. The various prior art braces have certain shortcomings, leaving a need to be filled. For example, the portion of the brace which supports the chin needs to be adjustable in a vertical direction to accommodate different anatomies. In addition the chin support needs to be adjustable to allow the head to be canted to one side or tile other; i.e. tilted relative to the vertical. In addition to those needs the brace or collar must be economical to manufacture, sturdy, easy to install, comfortable to wear and easy to adjust.

With respect to the prior art noted in certain patents see U.S. Pat. No. 7,674,234, (“234 patent”) which discloses a cervical collar that uses a somewhat complicated rack and pinion arrangement to raise and lower a chin strap; however, there is no ability to adjust the chin strap supports independently so the patient's head can be canted to one side (tilted relative the vertical) to accommodate a required anatomical constraint. U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,560 discloses another somewhat complicated cervical collar in which only vertical adjustment appears to be possible. U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,563 discloses a cervical collar in which vertical adjustment is accomplished by means of a threaded groove and a worm screw. US Pub. No. 2004/0204666 A1, discloses a complicated cervical spine brace and traction device in which a rear portion abutting the patient's occipital region of the skull can be adjusted vertically by means of two lead screws and gear boxes. It would not appear to be user friendly or economical to manufacture. Also see U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,726,643, 6,036,664, Re Nos. 34,714, and 36,745 and US Patent Appln. 2005/0113728 A1.

The universally adjustable cervical collar of the present invention addresses the short comings of the prior art and has achieved significant commercial acceptance in a short period since it was introduced into the market earlier this year. As an example, the present invention is fairing quite well against a competitive cervical collar generally following the teachings of the '234 patent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A cervical collar in accordance with this invention comprises a generally U-shaped base with a front, adapted to extend over the sternum of a patient, joined to a pair of rearwardly extending left and right wings or arms, adapted to extend over respective shoulders of the patient. Left and right generally planar chin or jaw supports are pivotally connected to the approximate distal ends of the associated wings and extend forwardly to a proximal end defining upper and lower proximal sections.

A chin piece, generally in the form of a semi-rigid strap, is pivotally mounted at each end to the upper proximal sections of the chin supports. An adjustable latching system in the form of a retractable latch mechanism is individually coupled between each of the arms and the lower proximal section of the associated chin supports. Each latch is arranged along an arc or sector of a circle centered on the associated axis about which the respective chin support is pivotally mounted on its associated wing.

In the preferred embodiment the latch mechanism includes a curved track positioned on each of the arms or the chin supports with a releasable locking pin positioned on the other member. Most preferably an arcuate slot is formed in the wings with a track having ribs or teeth extending inwardly from each side of the slot. A retractable locking pin is carried by the chin supports and provided with outwardly projecting ribs or teeth for engaging adjacent teeth on the track when in the locked position. When the pin is retracted from its locked position the proximal end of the chin supports are free to move relative to the wings and independently of each other. This allows the chin piece to not only be raised or lowered but canted at an angle to the base, i.e. to the vertical as is illustrated in FIG. 7.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the cervical collar together with the back piece forming a completed neck brace with foam lining in place for the comfort of a patient;

FIG. 2 is a slightly altered side view of the cervical collar alone with the foam lining in place and the locking pin portion of the retractable latch mechanism (visible on the left side of the collar) shown in the locked position;

FIG. 3 is the same side view of the collar without the foam showing the chin piece in its lowest position;

FIG. 4 is the side view of the collar with the chin piece in its highest position and the locking pins in their retracted or unlocked positions;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the collar with the chin piece in its lowest position and the locking pins in their retracted positions;

FIG. 6 is the same view as FIG. 5 with the chin piece in its highest position;

FIG. 7 is the same view as FIG. 5 with the chin piece in a canted position causing the patient's chin and head to assume an angle to vertical;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the foam padding for the cervical collar;

FIGS. 9 a and 9 b are top plan views of the back piece without the foam and of the foam, respectively;

FIG. 9 c is a plan view of the strap;

FIGS. 10 a, and 10 b, are a top plan view and a side view of the locking pin portion of the latch mechanism showing the anti-rotation stubs that fit into the receptacle (shown in FIGS. 11 and 12);

FIG. 10 c is another side view of the locking pin, FIG. 10 d is a top plan view of a metal retaining washer for securing the bottom of the locking pin in place in the receptacle to be described;

FIGS. 11 a, 11 b and 11 c are a side view, a top plan view and another side view of the upper component of the receptacle, respectively; FIG. 11 b shows the slots for receiving the anti-rotation stubs of the locking pin;

FIGS. 12 a, 12 b and 12 c are a bottom plan view, a side view and a top plan view of the lower component, respectively;

FIG. 13 a is an isolated view of the assembled locking pin (without the retaining washer) and receptacle in place in a the associate opening in a wing, looking toward the wing, showing in phantom lines the keyway stubs in the lower component with the anti-rotation ribs of the upper component seated in the slots formed in the stubs;

FIG. 13 b is an exterior side view a chin support, showing the keyway slots for receiving the cooperating keyway stubs of the lower component of the receptacle;

FIG. 13 c is an inside view (broken away) of the lower proximal section of one of the chin supports assembled to one of the wings showing the assembled locking pin and receptacle in place and the raised raceway on the inside of the wing.

FIG. 14 a is a broken away side view of the receptacle in place in the slot of one of the wings.

FIG. 14 b is the same view of the receptacle and wing of FIG. 14 a with a phantom view of the locking pin in a locked position showing the manner in which the ribs on the locking pin engage adjacent ribs on the track formed in the associated collar wing to freeze the rotational movement of the chin support relative to the associated collar wing; and

FIGS. 15 a-15 f are simplified perspective views of the collar illustrating one method of securing the invention in place.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT General Discussion of the Cervical Collar and Back Piece

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, a cervical collar 10 and back piece 12 form a complete neck brace with foam lining segments 14 and 16 in place. The back piece is releasably secured to the collar via conventional hook and loop fasteners attached to the collar at 17 a and to the underside of the strap 17 b. The foam padding 14 for the collar, before installation, is shown in FIG. 8. The back piece 12 is shown in FIG. 9 a with the slots 12 arranged to receive the strap 17 b. The openings 12 c serve to reduce the weight and increase the flexibility of the back piece. The foam padding 16 is illustrated in FIG. 9 b. The foam padding may be secured to the collar and the back piece, by means of hook and loop fasteners, not shown. The strap, 17 b, is shown in FIG. 9 c.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-7, the cervical collar 10 comprises a generally U-shaped base having a front section 10 a, adapted to extend over a patient's sternum, joined to left (10 b) and right (10 c) rearwardly extending wings or arms, adapted to extend over a patient's shoulders. The wings terminate in distal sections 10 d, (only the left one is shown). The base and back pieces are formed of a suitable polymeric material capable of retaining their shape while allowing some bending to allow the wings to conform to a patient's neck when secured thereto via the back piece. The collar base includes a more flexible extension 10 e connected to the lower portion of the front section 10 a by a pair of plastic rivets, 10 f. The extension is arranged, with its underlying foam, to rest against the patient's upper chest.

Left and right generally planar chin supports 18 a and 18 b, respectfully, are pivotally connected at their distal ends 18 c (see FIG. 13), via plastic rivets 19 a, along generally horizontally axes 19 b and 19 c to the distal sections 10 d of the wings of the base. The chin supports, which are located inwardly of the wings, define upper and lower proximal sections 18 d and 18 e, respectively, which collectively are sometimes referred to as the proximal end of the chin supports. A chin piece 20, generally shaped to accommodate a patient's chin, is pivotally connected at each end to the upper proximal sections 18 d of the chin supports, via plastic fasteners 19 d, as shown.

Discussion of the Adjustable Latching System

The adjustable latching system comprises an adjustable latch mechanism 22 (herein after “an adjustable latch” or “latch”) individually coupled between each arm or wing (10 b,10 c) and the associated chin support (18 a,18 b). Each adjustable latch is arranged along an arc about the respective pivot axis (19 b,19 c) to allow the proximal end of each chin support to be moved independently along the associated wing. The arc may be considered as a sector of a circle with its center at the respective pivot axis as shown. More specifically, the preferred adjustable latch comprises a curved track 21 formed on upstanding wall 21 b surrounding an elliptical slot 21 c, following the arc in each wing (FIG. 3) and a retractable locking pin 26 slidably mounted in a receptacle 28/30 carried by the associated chin support, the locking pin being arranged to releasably engage the track, as will be explained in more detail.

The range of the movement, or the chin supports, is illustrated in FIGS. 2-7, in which FIGS. 2, 3 and 5 show the chin supports and the chin piece in their lowest position, while FIGS. 4 and 6 show the chin supports in their upper most position. FIG. 7 shows the chin supports in intermediate positions with the right support disposed at a lower elevation than the left support leaving the chin piece canted or inclined at an angle to the vertical (vs. perpendicular thereto).

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show the locking pins 26 (to be described) of the adjustable latches in their locked or deployed position, while FIGS. 4-7 show the latches in their retracted position.

Referring now to FIG. 10, the locking pin, 26, includes a rounded head 26 a cut off on one side at 26 b with an undercut portion 26 c on the other side to accommodate a person's fingers in retracting the pin. The pin includes a depending spindle or shaft 26 d with a slot 26 e formed at its distal end to accommodate a retaining washer 26 f to maintain the pin in the receptacle while allowing limited axial movement to accommodate the locking and unlocking motion.

The pin further includes anti-rotation stubs 26 g to prevent the pin from rotating within the upper component 28 of the receptacle. Downwardly extending locking ribs 26 h are arranged to engage adjacent radially extending ribs on the track formed in the wing to lock the associated chin support to the wing when the pin is in its locked position, as will become apparent.

Referring now to FIGS. 11-12, an upper component 28 of the receptacle is in the form of a sleeve with an intermediate annular flange 28 a bisecting a top cup portion 28 b from a lower portion 28 h. This sleeve surrounds a through hole 28 c and defines diametrically opposed posts 28 d extending upwardly from the flange and defining slots 28 e for receiving the anti rotation stubs 26 g on the pin. The lower portion 28 h surrounds the through hole and includes radially extending anti-rotation ribs 28 f for engaging opposing slots 30 c formed in the lower receptacle component 30, as will be explained. The lower surface 28 g of the flange is arranged to engage an annular elliptical shelf 21 d of the associated collar wing surrounding the arcuate slot 21 c. See FIG. 4.

The lower component 30 is in form of a cup defining a continuation of the through hole 28 c with an annular flange 30 b interrupted by opposing keyway ribs 30 a for engaging keyway slots 18 h in the lower proximal section of an associated chin support. See FIG. 13 a. The ribs 30 a define internal slots 30 c for receiving the ribs 28 f of the upper component. An upper ring 30 d is also interrupted by the ribs 30 a. Four flexible retention flaps 30 e extend inwardly and downwardly from the bottom, maintaining the upper component in place once assembled. The outer annular surface is labeled 30 f.

FIG. 13 b shows the outer surface of one of the wings and more specifically a raised annular surface 18 f surrounding an opening 18 g through which the ring 30 c and ribs 30 a extend in the assembled condition. The surface 18 f includes two keyway slots 18 h for receiving the cooperating ribs 30 a to prevent, with the receptacle, the locking pin from rotating as it is moved along the slot and track as the respective proximal end of the chin support is raised or lowered.

During assembly the lower component 30 (except for the flange) is inserted into the opening 18 g after the distal end of the chin support has been mounted to its respective wing. The lower portion 28 h of the upper component 28 is then inserted through the slot and into the lower component and secured thereto by forcing the lip 28 l through the opening 28 c in the lower component until the retaining flaps 30 e engage the lip 28 i. The pin is then inserted through hole 28 c and the retaining washer is forced into the groove 26 e to retain the pin in place while allowing the pin limited axial movement to accommodate the locking and unlocking motion. (See FIG. 4)

FIG. 13 c is an inside view of an assembled chin support and wing showing a raised surface 10 g on the wing, surrounding the slot 21 c, in the form of a raceway against which the raised surface 18 f of the chin support slides during relative movement between the two members.

Each of the wings has indicia, 18 i, on the outside thereof labeled 1-6 showing the extent of movement of each chin support relative the base. See FIGS. 4 and 13.

The curved track portion of the adjustable latch will now be described in reference to FIGS. 14 a and 14 b. An arcuate slot 21 c, following a sector of a circle, having its center at the respective pivot axis, is formed in each wing with an annular shelf 21 d along which the lower surface 28 g of the flange 28 a of the upper component 28 of the receptacle rides when the chin support is raised or lowered. Extending above and surrounding the slot on opposed sides is the track, 21, with alternating ribs 21 e and grooves 21 f. FIG. 14 a shows the receptacle in place with out the locking pin. FIG. 14 b, shows, in phantom lines, the locking pin in place with the ribs 26 h engaging two adjacent ribs in the track. This view also shows the anti-locking stubs 26 g in place in the corresponding slots in the upper receptacle component.

Securing the Cervical Collar and Back Piece to a Patient

One method of using the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 15 a-15 f. First, place the patient's head in neutral alignment as illustrated, then place the back piece behind the patient's head and carefully slide it towards the center to minimize the patient's pain as is shown in FIG. 15 a.

Next place the collar under the patient's chin and chest, as is illustrated in FIG. 15 b. The locking pins 26 may be used to adjust the collar to the appropriate level. For example, the heads 26 c of the locking pins may be pulled outwardly and upwardly to adjust the collar's position.

Once positioned, place one hand on the collar and gently attach the strap 17 b on the back piece 12 to the hooks 17 a on the collar as is shown in FIGS. 15 c and d.

For final adjustment pull the head 26 a of the locking pin outward and upward to adjust the position of the collar. Last push the head 26 a inward to lock the collar in place. See FIGS. 15 e and f.

There has been described and illustrated a novel cervical collar and back piece which represents a significant improvement over the prior art. The collar is adjustable vertically to accommodate a wide range of patients; i.e., one size fits all. The collar also allows the chin piece to be inclined to accommodate a patient's anatomical constraints. Modifications and perhaps improvements of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as defined in the appended claims. 

1. A universally adjustable cervical collar comprising: a) a generally U-shaped base having a front, adapted to extend over a patient's sternum, joined to left and right rearwardly extending arms, adapted to extend over the patient's shoulders, b) left and right chin supports pivotally connected along generally horizontal axes to the distal ends of respective arms of the base and extending forwardly to upper and lower front sections. c) a chin piece disposed between the upper front sections of the chin supports and, d) an adjustable latch mechanism coupled between each of the arms and the lower front sections of the respective chin supports, each latch mechanism being arranged along an arc arranged about the respective pivot axis to allow each chin support to be moved relative to the collar base.
 2. The collar of claim 1 wherein the latch mechanism is arranged to change the height of the chin piece.
 3. The collar of claim 2 wherein the latch mechanism is arranged to change the angle of the chin piece relative to the vertical.
 4. The collar of claim 3 wherein the latch mechanism includes a curved track positioned on each of the arms or the chin supports and a releasable locking pin positioned on the other member, the tracks having a plurality of spaced inwardly projecting ribs and the pins having outwardly projecting ribs arranged to engage adjacent ribs on the track in the locked position.
 5. The collar of claim 4 wherein each track comprises a pair of tracks located on each side of a curved slot.
 6. The collar of claim 5 wherein the tracks are located on the arms with each chin support is located inwardly of the respective arm.
 7. The collar of claim 6 wherein the pin is arranged to travel within the respective slot and movable toward the respective arm to lock the chin support to the arm and away from the arm to allow the respective chin support to move relative to the arm, whereby the chin piece may be positioned at a desired height and angle relative to the base.
 8. A universally adjustable cervical collar comprising: a) a generally U-shaped base having a front adapted to extend over a patient's sternum and clavicle joined to left and right rearwardly extending wings, adapted to extend over the patient's shoulders, each wing having a distal end, b) left and right chin supports, each chin support having a distal section pivotally connected to the distal ends of respective wings, and defining upper and lower proximal sections, c) a chin piece connected between the upper proximal sections of the chin supports, and d) an adjustable latch mechanism located between the lower proximal section of each chin support and the associated wing, each latch mechanism being arranged along a sector of a circle having a center at the respective pivot axis to allow the proximal sections of the chin supports to be independently adjusted relative to its associated wing.
 9. The collar of claim 8 wherein the latch mechanism is in the form of an arcuate slot formed in the respective wing or chin support with a track section formed on at least one side of the slot and a movable locking pin mounted on the other member for engaging the track and independently locking each chin support to a selected position on the associated wing.
 10. The collar of claim 9 wherein the slot is formed in the wings and the locking pin is carried by the chin supports.
 11. The collar of claim 10 wherein the track is formed with inwardly projecting ribs on each side of the slot and the locking pin is formed with outwardly projecting ribs for selectively engaging the track ribs.
 12. The collar of claim 11 wherein the locking pin is carried in a sleeve which rides in the slot.
 13. The collar of claim 12 wherein the slot if framed by an annular shelf with the tract extending above and around the shelf and the sleeve is in the form of a receptacle having a flange adapted to ride on the shelf as the pin is moved relative to the wing to adjust the height of the proximal sections of the associated chin support.
 14. A universally adjustable cervical collar comprising: a) a generally U-shaped base having a front joined to left and right rearwardly extending wings, b) an elongated chin piece having two ends, c) a pair of generally planar chin supports, each chin support being pivotally connected at a distal end to a respective wing and at the other end to a respective end of the chin piece, and d) a latch individually connected between each associated wing and chin support and arranged to allow each chin support to be selectively raised and lowered and inclined relative to the vertical.
 15. The collar of claim 14 in which the latch is arranged to lock the chin piece in a selected position.
 16. The collar of claim 15 wherein each chin support defines an upper and lower proximal section with the associated chin support being pivotally connected between the upper proximal sections of the chin supports.
 17. The collar of claim 16 wherein the latch comprises a curved slot in each wing with the curve forming a sector of a circle having a center at the respective pivot axis of the chin support, a track adjacent the slot and a locking pin carried by each chin support, the locking pin being moveable within the slot and arranged to selectively engage the track to lock each chin support in a selected position relative to the associated wing.
 18. The collar of claim 17 wherein each chin support is located inwardly of its associate wing. 